hap

1 of 4

noun (1)

hap

2 of 4

verb (1)

happed; happing

hap

3 of 4

verb (2)

happed; happing

hap

4 of 4

noun (2)

dialect
: something (such as a bed quilt or cloak) that serves as a covering or wrap

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old Norse happ good luck; akin to Old English gehæp suitable, Old Church Slavonic kobĭ lot, fate

Verb (2)

Middle English happen

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hap was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near hap

Cite this Entry

“Hap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hap. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

hap

1 of 2 noun
1
: something that happens : occurrence
2
: something that happens unexpectedly without intention or observable cause : chance, fortune

hap

2 of 2 verb
happed; happing
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!